A TRIP to Wallasey has never been very fruitful for Southport, and last Saturday was no exception.

A TRIP to Wallasey has never been very fruitful for Southport, and last Saturday was no exception.

Oldershaw were demoted into the South Lancashire and Cheshire Division II last season, but they showed more enthusiasm for the game, and were worthy winners in the end.

Southport’s hero was flanker Dave Gairn, who is often included as substitute, but was in the starting line-up this week. From the first scrum which Oldershaw won he charged down a clearance kick, and outstripped the defence in the race to the line for a great try. Ben Swinson kicked the conversion, and Southport were 7-0 up. It seemed like last season all over again.

But it was not to be. Oldershaw rallied, and camped out in the Southport 22 for long periods in the first half. Strong tackling by Southport’s forwards kept them out, and eventually the situation was relieved by some good line kicking from Swinson.

Improved possession gave Shane Cook, Southport’s captain and inside centre, the chance to charge at the opposition. Twice he broke the first tackle and made ground.

The second time he was held up just two yards from the try line. His attempted off-load to Paul Halsall went to ground, and the opportunity was lost.

Oldershaw returned to the attack, and had two chances to score before their quick outside centre made a telling break to score shortly before half-time.

At 7-7 Southport turned round with hopes of victory, but Oldershaw showed more courage in the close contact areas, and began to take control of the scrums and mauls.

Their handling, which had been poor in the first half, improved and their backrow linked well together to produce and try to which Southport could not respond, except for one penalty goal by Swinson. A late try for Oldershaw finished the game off, and Southport returned to the changing rooms knowing that they could have done so much better.

Oldershaw remain bottom of the league, due to the seven points that they were deducted for incidents on the touchline last season. Southport must work much harder in training if they are to survive in this league.

Southport II10

Sedgley Park III20

Southport were again forced to make a number of selection changes.

Craig Pacey and Paddy Daly gained well earned promotions to the first XV to cover injuries, Phil Farrar had early retirement forced upon him, whilst a previous man of the match and a future talent of the club cried off at the last minute, choosing instead babysitting on a Saturday afternoon.

Despite having retired twice, an Whittaker stepped up (against his better judgement) to return to the front row, ensuring the game could be played, and treated the crowd to a performance full of his typical vigour and determination.

Both teams treated the Waterloo Road crowd to a display of very physical and bruising rugby.

Southport worked well to gain territory and possession, the pack tried to provide a secure platform for the backs, but the early loss of Bayliff with a knee injury only reduced the packs effectiveness. Stu Molloy played his best game this season, showing a real passion and determination in his tackling and open play which had been missing from his earlier performances. When the pack did provide the backs with the operating platform they required, the backs showed flair. Thirty minutes in, Hubbard shipped the ball to Will Greenwood who found Wardale bursting through from full back, slipping tackles and releasing a well timed pass to Luke Summerfield who shimmied past the remaining defence and scored to the left of the posts. Hubbard converted.

Southport were rewarded with two penalty kicks, one of which they converted to 3 points. Sedgley Park fought just as hard, they too converted a penalty opportunity and converted a well earnt try and at half time the scores were level at 10 – 10.

At the restart, Southport failed to switch back on, a worrying trait that may have cost them the last three games. Southport spent most of the first twenty minutes of the second half in their own 22, the pack unable or unwilling to compete for the loose ball. Time and time again Sedgley Park turned the home side over and secured the ball, sometimes with little or no opposition. As a result of an inspiring performance from Whittaker, the home team soaked up wave after wave of attack, but Southport eventually cracked under the onslaught, the captain missing the last opportunity to tackle Sedgley’s Inside Centre who then proceded to score under the posts. As the attack continued, Stu Molloy was replaced by Gareth Norbury, having his first game for the club, Daz Congdon had to limp from the field to be replaced by new boy Tom Fletcher and Mike Sheard had to be aided from the field with a twisted ankle, and old favourite Ali Copeland found himself morphing from spectator to player.

Moments later, the same thing happened to Ste Hales as Jack Wardale also limped from the pitch. Funny thing that cider.

Southport conceded a further penalty before staging a fightback.

They started to secure ball again at the scrums and line outs, but commitment in the loose was still missing. Southport were unable to start any of their trademark rolling mauls, or communicate effectively to work the ball back from a contact situation and remove the infringing opposition.

Southport came close to scoring a second try, but Sedgley’s defence was just a stubborn. As if to sum up Southport’s season so far, in the last minutes of the game they missed a second penalty kick.

Southport’s performance in the pack was not ‘business as usual’.

They did not dominate in the scrum and lineout, and effectiveness in open play was dismal. Without the ball, or a platform for the backs to work from points cannot be scored.

Man of the Match was Luke Summerfield.

Gareth Norbury had an encouraging first game, looking like a perfect compliment to Paddy Daly as a lineout jumper and Rik Potter played well.